How to deal with depression as a teenager. Teenage depression, depression in children and adolescents, causes and treatment. Signs of depression in children

In a recent study conducted by the Queen Elizabeth Medical Center in Western Australia on 400 young adolescents aged 10 to 14 years, 10% were considered clinically depressed, and more than half of the children were assessed by doctors as being prone to depression in the future. Depressed teenagers believed that happiness was achieved only through fame, money and beauty. Happy teenagers tend to believe that life satisfaction depends on successful personal relationships and setting worthwhile goals. What is teenage depression? Why does it occur and how to deal with it?

What is teenage depression?

Teenage depression is not just a bad mood - it is a serious problem that affects all aspects of a teenager's life. Teen depression can lead to problems at home and school, drug addiction, self-loathing, even violence or suicide. But there are many ways parents, teachers and friends can help cope with depression.

There are many misconceptions about teenage depression. During adolescence, many children are quite aggressive, difficult to communicate with, they are rebellious and want to be independent. Teenagers often have mood swings and are sad. But depression is something else. Depression can destroy the very essence of a teenager's personality, causing overwhelming feelings of sadness, despair or anger.

The incidence of teenage depression is increasing around the world, and we are increasingly aware of this when we look at our children or their friends. Depression hits a teenager's psyche far more often than most people realize. And while teen depression is very treatable, experts say only one in five cases of depression get help for teens.

Unlike adults, who have the ability to seek help on their own, teenagers typically have to rely on parents, teachers, and caregivers to recognize depression and get the treatment they need. So if you have teenage children, it's important to learn what teen depression looks like and what to do if you notice symptoms.

ICD-10 code

F33 Recurrent depressive disorder

F32 Depressive episode

Symptoms of teenage depression

Teenagers face a lot of pressure from adults, ranging from grades in school to control from mom and dad. And at this time, a hormonal storm takes place in their body, which makes the teenager’s psyche even more vulnerable and fragile than before. During adolescence, children begin to fiercely defend their independence. For them, it can be a drama that an adult would only smile sadly at it. Because adults are used to seeing teenagers often in an agitated state, it is not always easy for them to distinguish between depression and the whims and mood swings inherent in teenagers. If you notice these symptoms in your teen, they are likely depressed.

Signs of depression in teenagers

• Sadness or hopelessness for a long time
• Irritability, anger, or hostility
• Tearfulness
• Abandonment of friends and family
• Loss of interest in any activity
• Loss of appetite and poor sleep
• Anxiety and excitement
• Feelings of worthlessness and guilt
• Lack of enthusiasm and motivation
• Fatigue or lack of energy
• Difficulty concentrating
• Thoughts about death or suicide 

If you are not sure that your teenager is depressed, consult a psychologist with him.

Negative effects of teenage depression

The negative effects of teenage depression go far beyond melancholic moods. Many cases of unhealthy behavior or aggressive attitudes in teenagers are actually signs of depression. Below are some ways that teenagers can show adults that they are depressed. They act this way not out of harm, but in an attempt to cope with emotional pain.

Problems at school. Depression can lead to loss of energy and difficulty concentrating. At school, this can lead to poor attendance, arguments in classes, or frustration with schoolwork, even for children who previously did very well.

Run away from home. Many depressed teens run away from home or talk about running away. Such attempts are a cry for help.

Drugs and alcohol abuse. Teens may use alcohol or drugs in an attempt to “self-medicate” depression. Unfortunately, these methods lead to irreparable consequences.

Low self-esteem. Depression can provoke and intensify feelings of helplessness, shame, and give a feeling of the meaninglessness of life.

Internet addiction. Teenagers may go online to escape their problems. But excessive computer use only increases their isolation and makes them more depressed.

Desperate, reckless behavior. Depressed teens may engage in dangerous activities (eg, robbing a passerby on the street) or take desperate risks, such as dangerous driving, unprotected sex.

Violence. Some depressed teenagers (usually boys who are victims of aggression) become aggressive. Self-hatred and the desire to die can develop into violence and rage towards others.

Teenage depression is associated with a number of other mental health problems, including eating disorders.

Symptoms of Suicidality in Depressed Teens

1. Talks or jokes about suicide.
2. Says things like: “I would rather die,” “I wish I could disappear forever,” or “I have no choice.”
3. He talks about death admiringly, something like “If I died, everyone would regret it and love me more”).
4. Writes stories and poems about death or suicide.
5. Participates in dangerous, traumatic sports.
6. Saying goodbye to friends and family as if forever.
7. Looks for weapons, pills, or discusses ways to kill himself.

The problem of depression must be addressed, and the sooner the better. It is very important that your teenager shares his problems with you. The teenager may not want to tell them. He may be ashamed, he may be afraid of being misunderstood. Additionally, depressed teens find it very difficult to express how they feel.

If you think your child is depressed, you should trust your instincts. In addition, the situation is complicated by the fact that adolescents may not consider their behavior to be the result of depression.

Tips for talking to a depressed teenager

Teenager and suicide

If you suspect that a teenager may be suicidal, take immediate action! Take your child to a psychologist, psychotherapist, show him more attention and care.

Teens who are seriously depressed often talk about suicide or make “attention-seeking” suicide attempts. Some teenagers don’t really want to commit suicide and go no further than suicidal thoughts, but parents and teachers should always take such “beacons” very seriously.

For the vast majority of suicidal adolescents, depression or another mental disorder is an increased risk factor. Depressed teens who abuse alcohol or drugs have an even higher risk of suicide. Because teens who are depressed are at real risk of suicide, parents and teachers should be vigilant for any signs of suicidal thoughts or behavior.

Methods for diagnosing teenage depression

Depression is very destructive to a teenager's fragile psyche if left untreated, so don't wait and hope that the symptoms will go away on their own. Seek professional help.

Be prepared to tell the doctor about your child's depression symptoms, including how long they last, how they affect your child's daily activities, and any symptoms that concern you. You should also tell your doctor about relatives who suffered from depression or any other mental disorder.

If there are no health problems that are causing your teen's depression, ask your doctor to refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist who specializes in child and adolescent psychology. Depression in teens can be a challenging condition, especially when it comes to treatment. No one can perform a miracle on your child. You will need to work with the symptoms of depression for an extended period of time. If your child feels uncomfortable visiting a psychologist or psychiatrist, ask for a referral to another professional who may be a better fit for your child.

Difference between teenage and adult depression

Depression in adolescents can be significantly different from depression in adults. The following symptoms of depression are more common in adolescents than in adults:

Irritability, anger or mood swings - as noted above, it is irritability, and not the sadness inherent in adults, that often predominates in depressed adolescents. A depressed teen may be grumpy, hostile, easily upset, or prone to angry outbursts.

Unexplained pain - Depressed teens often complain of physical ailments, such as headaches or stomach pain. If a thorough physical examination does not reveal a medical cause for these pains, it may indicate depression.

Extreme sensitivity to criticism - Depressed teens suffer from feelings of inadequacy, which makes them extremely vulnerable to criticism, rejection and failure. This becomes a particularly serious problem at school when a child's performance declines sharply.

Withdrawing into oneself, withdrawing from people (but not everyone). While adults tend to withdraw when they are depressed, teenagers tend to maintain friendships but limit those friendships to a select few. However, teens with depression may socialize much less than before, stop interacting with their parents much, or start going out with other people.

Don't rely on medications alone

There are several treatment options for depression in teens, including individual therapy or group sessions. There is also a method of family therapy. Medicines come last, and this is only part of a comprehensive treatment, not a panacea.

Any type of psychological therapy is often good for treating mild to moderate depression. Antidepressants should be used as part of a more comprehensive treatment plan in more severe cases.

Unfortunately, some parents believe that antidepressants are the only way to cure their child. This is far from true; any treatment is individual and may vary depending on the results.

Risks of Teen Antidepressant Use In severe cases of depression, medications can help relieve symptoms. However, antidepressants are not always the best treatment option. They can have side effects such as addiction, sleep disturbances, increased fatigue and drowsiness. It is important to weigh all the risks before starting to prescribe antidepressants.

Antidepressants and the teenage brain

Antidepressants were developed and tested in adults, so their effects on young, developing brains are not yet fully understood. Some researchers are concerned that the use of drugs such as Prozac by children and teenagers may interfere with the normal development of their brains. Adolescent brains are developing rapidly and exposure to antidepressants can affect development, especially how a teen manages stress and regulates their emotions.

Antidepressants increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in some adolescents. The risk of suicide, according to specialist research, is highest during the first two months of treatment with antidepressants.

Teenagers who take antidepressants should be closely supervised by doctors and parents. Any signs that adolescent depressive symptoms are worsening should be a signal to reconsider treatment.

Warning symptoms include increased agitation, irritability or uncontrollable anger in your teen, and sudden changes in behavior.

According to psychotherapists who deal with adolescent depression, after starting antidepressants or changing their dosage, a teenager should see a doctor:

• Once a week for four weeks
• Every 2 weeks for the next month
• At the end of the 12th week of taking medications

Adolescent support as a treatment for depression

The most important thing you can do for your child is to let him know that you will always have his back. Now more than ever, your teen needs to know that you value, love, and care about them.

Be patient. Living with a depressed teenager in the same house is not an easy task. From time to time you may experience fatigue, despair, a desire to quit, or any other negative emotion. During this difficult time, it is important to remember that your child will definitely recover, you are already working on it. Your teen is suffering too, so it's best to be patient and understanding.

Encourage physical activity. Encourage your teen when they play sports or do yoga. Exercise can help relieve symptoms of depression, so find ways to keep your teen physically active. Something as simple as walking the dog or riding a bike can be helpful.

Encourage social activity. Isolation only makes your teen depressed, so encourage him when he wants to spend time with friends or you.

Participate in treatment. Make sure your teen follows all instructions and the doctor's instructions and does everything on time and completely. This is especially important when your child takes prescription medications. Monitor changes in your child's condition and contact your doctor if you think symptoms of depression are getting worse.

Learn more about depression. If you don't know much about the course of this condition, you need to read more about depression and then you too will become an expert. The more you know, the better you can help your depressed teen. Encourage your teen to learn more about depression, too. Reading non-fiction can help teens feel like they are not alone and give them a better understanding of what they are going through.

The road to restoring your teen's mental health can be a long one, so be patient. Enjoy small victories and don't worry about failures. Most importantly, don't judge yourself or compare your family to others. You are doing everything possible to rid your teenager of depression, and he is trying with you.

The intense rhythm of life, the high demands of reality, strict standards of compliance with society, and the incessant flow of diverse information have become familiar phenomena for many contemporaries. However, the existing way of things in society is an intense, continuous, long-term stress factor for the human body, accumulating its negative impact on the psyche.

The brain of many adults has adapted to the effects of certain stressors and is able to provide adequate protection for the body, using various mechanisms of “defensive” reactions. However, the completely unformed, fragile, immature psyche of children and adolescents often becomes defenseless against many stress factors. In addition, the addition of hormonal chaos during puberty does not have the best effect on the emotional sphere of a teenager, often resulting in a variety of borderline neurotic reactions or transforming into mental pathologies, often manifesting itself in the form of depression.

During the puberty period, a large-scale revaluation and replacement of ideals occurs: the teenager stops idealizing his ancestors, strives to distance himself from his parents, but in most cases he is not psychologically ready to commit such a symbolic “murder” of former idols. True physiological “imbalance” of the emotional background is manifested in constant changes in mood: attacks of tearfulness, periods of blues, moments of oppressive melancholy, which are replaced by a phase of psychomotor excitement and euphoric jubilation.

In adolescence, even minor difficulties are perceived as insurmountable problems that bring unbearable pain. The death of parents, a dysfunctional atmosphere in the family, a break in relationships with their “first love,” unsatisfactory performance at school, social isolation, and failure in their endeavors cause a strong negative emotional reaction in children, forming depression and often pushing them to an act of despair—attempting suicide.

According to numerous sources of statistical data, depression in adolescents of varying severity is observed in 60-80% of adolescents, and in most cases, melancholic conditions lasting more than two weeks require professional medical assistance. In childhood and adolescence, the problem of suicidal behavior has become the subject of close attention of scientists around the world. According to the American Psychiatric Association, suicide is the leading cause of death among children and youth: every year more than 500,000 members of the younger generation make suicide attempts, of which 5,000 cases result in death.

Pubertal disorder carries a high risk of developing depression in adulthood. Research conducted at the Maudsley Hospital showed that the consequences of depression in an adult are often long-term problems with adaptation in society, persistent difficulties in personal relationships, and an increased risk of suicidal behavior (in more than 44% of sample participants).

Depression in children and adolescents: causes

Numerous factors influencing the formation of depression have been established and confirmed. In the majority of clinically recorded cases, the disorder, which arose in the age period from 12 to 25 years, is of a hereditary nature (genetic predisposition to pathologies of the mental sphere). Depression in children and adolescents is much more common in cases where one or both parents in the family suffer from this illness in a severe form and periodically undergo psychotherapeutic treatment.

The second most important factor provoking depression in adolescents is a dysfunctional atmosphere in the family. Growing up in a single-parent family, drinking parents, the lack of a unified strategy for raising heirs, frequent quarrels and showdowns between relatives, and excessive, unfair demands on a child have a huge negative impact on the child’s psyche.

The impetus for the development of the disorder in a teenager is a variety of factors, which are based on the influence of the environment when the child’s personal identification is flawed (inadequate or incorrect self-image). Misunderstanding of loved ones, insufficient level of academic performance at school, low social status of the family, lack of authority among peers, distorted sexual orientation, inability to achieve visible heights in sports are strong arguments for the mind to react to what is happening with depression.

Juvenile age- a crisis period of psychological maturation, coinciding with large-scale hormonal changes during puberty. Hormonal changes cause a malfunction in the functioning of neurotransmitters that control the emotional sphere, and the resulting deficiency of certain chemicals triggers the development of depression. During puberty, the adolescent complex clearly manifests itself:

• teenagers are hypersensitive to outsiders’ assessment of their appearance and abilities,
• their behavior combines extreme arrogance and ultimatum judgments,
• spiritual sensitivity and attentiveness coexist with callousness and callousness,
• shyness and modesty alternate with swagger and vulgarity,
• the desire to be recognized by society coexists with demonstrative independence and love of freedom,
• non-acceptance of generally accepted norms and rules, denial of authorities goes in step with the creation and deification of idols.

An important factor in the formation of the disorder is the instability and conflict of self-esteem, which has a rigid (inflexible), highly fluctuating, disorganizing nature. A low level of self-esteem, the formation of self-esteem under the influence of external assessments, a negative coloring of a retrospective, current and prognostic view of one’s personality is an ideal platform for mental pathologies.

Depression in Teens: Symptoms

Often, symptoms of depression in adolescents include changes in behavior and frequent mood swings. A child suffering from a disorder avoids social contacts, breaks off relationships with friends, and prefers to be alone. The following are the leading symptoms of depression in teenagers:

• Frequent pain syndromes: headache, discomfort in the epigastric region;
• Difficulty concentrating, absent-mindedness, forgetfulness, excessive distractibility;
• Inability to independently develop the right decision;
• Irresponsible attitude towards one's responsibilities;
• Decreased appetite or excessive need for food;
• Scandalous, rebellious behavior;
• Feeling of oppressive melancholy;
• Unreasonable anxiety;
• Feeling of hopelessness and futility of the future;
• Insomnia, interrupted sleep, daytime sleepiness;
• Sudden loss of interests;
• Consumption of alcoholic beverages, drugs;
• Irritability, aggressiveness;
• The occurrence of obsessive thoughts about death.

The diagnosis of teenage depression is made on the basis of interviews conducted by a psychiatrist with the child and his environment, taking into account the results of psychological tests specially adapted for childhood. The stage and severity of the disorder, the presence of a risk of suicidal actions and, accordingly, the construction of a treatment regimen are determined after a detailed study of the clinical picture of the disease.

Teenage depression: treatment

Today, many methods for treating depression in adolescents have been developed and are successfully used, including the prescription of pharmacological drugs and psychotherapy sessions.

In cases where depressive disorder is mild and not burdened by suicidal thoughts and socially dangerous behavior, the first choice of treatment is cognitive behavioral therapy. An illness that has a real reason for its formation - an obvious dysfunctional situation in the family - is successfully overcome after family psychotherapy sessions. The work of a professional psychologist with children with low self-esteem, indecisive, suspicious and timid adolescents is aimed primarily at developing adequate self-acceptance, new personal standards, an active life position and a sense of self-worth.

In cases where a teenager experiences acute or prolonged depression, there is a need to use medication or a combination treatment regimen, often carried out in an inpatient setting. Prescribing antidepressants, antipsychotics and anxiolytics to patients of childhood and adolescence is a serious and responsible task, since some drugs of these classes can provoke the emergence or intensification of symptoms of other mental disorders. For example: trade names of SSRIs with active substance Fluoxetine are preferable for depressive states that occur with motor retardation and increased drowsiness, while they aggravate symptoms in patients with psychomotor agitation, suffering from insomnia or experiencing panic anxiety, often causing manic manifestations. If you follow all the letters of the law, then there is a license for the use of antidepressants in the age group up to 15 years only for Amitriptylinum. However, in practice, other more modern “gentle” psychotropic drugs are used in effective therapeutic dosages, which have a minimum of side effects.

In order for a teenager to experience the effective benefits of prescribed medications, he must not only strictly comply with all medical prescriptions, but also become an active participant in the process of overcoming depression.

The teenage years are some of the most emotional, when a student emerges from childhood but does not always know what it means to be an adult. It is at this time that he is subject to various influences, contradictions, and is often disappointed in life situations, friends, and people. If things go poorly at school and there is no support at home, then the teenager develops depression. What to do when it appears, how to recognize it in time and carry out the necessary treatment will be discussed in this article.

Depression: definitions of the concept

Depression - characterized by loss of strength, indifference to public life, refusal to carry out important tasks and assignments. This is considered a disease that needs to be treated. Quite often a person cannot get out of depression on his own, so he needs outside help.

Like any disease, depression has its own symptoms and causes. Adolescents, like adults, are susceptible to depression, which often becomes a factor in psychological disability or mortality. Therefore, it is so important to recognize this disease in order to help in time and restore the joy of life to the student.

Causes of teenage depression

A depressive state usually does not arise out of nowhere; it can have both objective and subjective factors. The main causes of depression in adolescents are:

1. Hormonal changes in the body of children. During this period, they change quite a lot physically; the chemical processes that occur can cause mood swings, restlessness, and anxiety.
2. Failures in school life. Failure to perform well, rejection by classmates, and “attacks” from teachers increase emotional instability and make the teenager unhappy.
3. Social status. If a child does not enjoy respect among his peers, his friends constantly make fun of him, do not value his opinion, then such an attitude suppresses the student and makes him lonely.
4. Unhappy first love. Teenagers react very sharply to feelings that arise, which most often remain unanswered, so children develop a critical attitude towards their appearance and body. They cease to respect themselves, they believe that there is nothing to love them for, and as a result, this attitude leads to despair and depression.
5. High demands from parents. A high standard, too high for a student, causes him to feel insecure, fear of punishment for an unachieved result, and fear of even greater demands.
6. Family troubles. Family relationships play an important role in the emotional state of the child. The development of depression in adolescents may be associated with the indifferent attitude of parents who are not interested in the student’s life, do not support him, and are not happy about the child’s achievements.

Symptoms of depression

Any disease has its own signs by which it can be recognized. Depression is manifested by the following symptoms:

• constant apathetic state;
• the appearance of various pains (headache, stomach, back)
• persistent feeling of fatigue, loss of strength;
• the student cannot concentrate on completing a specific task and becomes forgetful;
• sadness, anxiety, and excessive anxiety appear;
• irresponsible or rebellious behavior - a teenager skips school, does not do homework, spends time on the street late;
• insomnia at night, drowsiness during the day;
• a sharp decline in school performance;
• avoidance of peers, ignoring various activities;
• lack of motivation to perform any duties;
• eating disorders - the student either refuses food or abuses it;
• excessive agitation, frequent outbursts of anger, irritability;
• obsession with the theme of death, the afterlife.

In general, signs of depression in adolescents cause changes in their behavior and mood. Schoolchildren become withdrawn, spend most of their time in their room, and do not communicate with other people. They lose interest and motivation in previously favorite activities and become gloomy and hostile.

Age characteristics

Growing up, children change not only externally, but also internally, they look at the world differently, see and understand new relationships, relationships between people. Therefore, it is at this time that they are susceptible to depression.

The peak period for the onset of depression in adolescents is considered to be between 13 and 19 years of age. At this time, schoolchildren are subject to stress, they have unstable and heightened emotionality, the world around them is perceived through a magnifying glass, all problems seem insoluble.

Severe and moderate forms of the disease are rare under the age of 15, but this does not mean that you do not need to pay attention to the child’s depression, since a mild stage can quickly turn into a more severe one.

Children 10 - 12 years old mainly show symptoms such as general deterioration of health, digestion and nutrition disorders. In addition, the behavior of schoolchildren changes; they become more withdrawn, lonely, may complain of boredom, and lose interest in previous activities.

Teenagers aged 12 to 14 hide their depressive state, but it manifests itself through mental and motor retardation. Children cannot clearly formulate their thoughts, and difficulties arise in the communication process. Symptoms of depression in adolescents also appear, such as poor academic performance, violation of discipline, anger, and spending more time on the street. Schoolchildren are in constant tension and fear that they will be scolded, lectured, and humiliated.

The most problematic depressive states occur between the ages of 14 and 19, an age when schoolchildren face difficulties in choosing a future path and passing exams. In addition, they tend to think about the meaning of life, which they cannot yet understand and find; such thoughts acquire a self-sufficient character. During this period, symptoms of depression in adolescents such as insomnia, poor appetite, irritability, fear of making decisions, anxiety, and others may be most acute.

Types of depression

Depending on the behavioral characteristics and symptoms exhibited, the following conditions can be distinguished:

• Zombie- fixation of a teenager on a certain activity that does not bring any benefit, but is absolutely fruitless. A striking example is spending time on social networks, constantly updating the page in anticipation of a new event. The child turns into a “zombie”, feeding on meaningless information.
• Mystery- the student does not show any signs of the disease, but he changes dramatically in a short period of time. Transformations can affect appearance, habits, worldview.
• Sacrifice- depression in children and adolescents often takes the form of a victim, when they, feeling worthless or inferior, easily succumb to the influence of a more successful person, from their point of view, under whose influence the depressive state only intensifies.
• Screen- schoolchildren hide their true experiences, fears, and pain behind apparent success. This form of the disease can lead to the child constantly striving for success, but this will not bring satisfaction.
• Problem- teenagers do not feel a taste for life, everything is boring and uninteresting for them, they can always be in a situation. At the same time, they study well, do not lead an asocial lifestyle, however, such children do not have spiritual harmony.
• Rebel- this type of depression indicates its prolonged form. The schoolchild does not value life, it irritates him, while he is practically not susceptible to suicidal behavior, since he loves his Ego too much and takes care of it.

Depression in boys and girls: gender differences

Teenagers who are depressed, unable to bear it, often try to find some way out that will help alleviate suffering and numb the pain. At the same time, the answer to the question of how to get out of depression, a teenage boy sees it in rebellious and antisocial behavior, and a girl sees it in withdrawing into herself or in causing even greater suffering.

Boys most often get involved with bad company, try all kinds of drugs, alcohol, in this way closing themselves off not only from personal problems, but also from the world as a whole, from its injustice and misunderstanding. In this state, the child feels absolutely happy. There are no responsibilities, teachers or overprotective parents.

Depression in a teenage girl has slightly different manifestations. She withdraws into herself, closes herself off from external influences in her inner world, becomes unsociable, withdrawn, and lonely. Often this behavior is associated with low self-esteem, when a girl does not know what to respect herself for, what makes her attractive, while she tries to drown out the pain through promiscuity. Most often, such underestimation of oneself as an individual and one’s capabilities comes from the family, when the child was told little about how wonderful and good she is. After all, there is never too much love for a girl; it won’t spoil her, it won’t make her a prude.

However, such exits from this state only worsen the situation: after the end of the drug or sexual intercourse, the pain becomes even stronger, self-esteem drops to zero. Therefore, it is important to start fighting depression in adolescents in time to avoid voluntary death.

Treatment of depression

If you notice the above symptoms, you must consult a doctor so that he can determine the appropriate treatment, which can be medicinal or advisory in nature.

Among medications, various sedatives are usually prescribed that do not have a detrimental effect on the child’s body as a whole and do not lead to drowsiness and renunciation. Any medications must be taken strictly as prescribed by the doctor to avoid various unpleasant consequences.

However, most often it is enough to conduct a course of psychological consultations, where the treatment of depression in adolescents is carried out by searching for the causes of the disease, learning to recognize negative thoughts and the ability to cope with them. Such consultations are carried out both separately with the child and with the entire family, if the cause of the disease is difficult relationships with relatives.

Parental help for a teenager

The main role in the prevention of depression in children belongs to their parents, whose behavior and attitude will help them either be completely unaware of this illness or easily cope with it. To protect a teenager from depression, parents need to choose the following parenting tactics:

• It is not recommended to constantly punish or humiliate a child, otherwise he will grow up insecure, repressed, and will consider himself useless to anyone.
• You should not overprotect children and make decisions for them, which provokes teenage depression, the symptoms of which manifest themselves in the inability to make choices and be independent.
• You cannot squeeze a child, limit his freedom, he must feel his independence, but at the same time know that his parents are always there.
• Give the opportunity to choose a creative circle, sports section, friends, you should not impose your unfulfilled dreams on a teenager.
• It is necessary to talk with the child; this is best done through joint activities. Here it is recommended to choose something that both the teenager and parents like to do: it could be family skiing, ice skating, creating interesting crafts, reading books and much more.
• If a child shares his difficulties, it is important to listen to him; in no case should you make fun of a problem, even a trivial one. It is better to discuss everything and find a solution.
• Constant moralizing can also cause depression in teenagers, so it is recommended to teach with deeds, not words; you need to be an example for your child.

Signs of suicidal behavior

Teenage depression can take a rather dangerous form - voluntary withdrawal from life. All the problems that schoolchildren have are considered insoluble and insurmountable, causing unbearable pain. Among them, the most popular are: failure at school, unrequited love, problems in the family, constant failures in various matters. Teenagers, unable to withstand such emotional stress, take the extreme step - suicide, which solves all difficult issues at once.

Among the main signs of this behavior are the following:

• lack of faith in a good and joyful future, the child loses all hope;
• an indifferent attitude towards oneself, depression in adolescence manifests itself through phrases such as “nobody needs me, no one cares about me”;
• the student stops doing what he loves and loses interest in studying;
• often starts talking about death or even threatens to kill himself.

If a teenager exhibits at least one of the above signs, then this cannot be ignored; you need to talk to the child or go with him to a consultation with a psychologist.

Underestimating and overestimating the situation

A depressive state is not always easy to recognize, but there is no need to go to extremes, which include underestimating or, conversely, overestimating what is happening.

All adolescents are exposed to psychological stress; this is a normal process that has the same symptoms as depression. However, it is shorter, the child does not withdraw into himself, and easily makes contact. In this case, there is no need to overestimate the situation and take the student to the doctor; a confidential conversation at home is enough. Here you can tell your parents about yourself, how they experienced certain problems at this age.

At the same time, children who really need help are left unattended, parents let the problem take its course, and signs of depression in adolescents are not noticed. Here there is an underestimation of the situation; the child is left alone with his problems, which is fraught with suicide.

Therefore, it is important to correctly recognize the former and the latter, provide them with support and, if necessary, treatment.

Thus, depression is quite common among adolescents, which is explained by their internal and external changes, when children are not ready to accept the new rules that adult life dictates, cannot understand established relationships between people, and cannot find their place in society. The development of depression in adolescents is dangerous for their mental health and life, since timely assistance, whether parental or medical, can provoke suicide as the only way out of the current situation.

Adolescence is always an anxious time, with many physical, emotional, psychological and social changes accompanying their lives.

Unrealistic expectations can create a strong sense of rejection and can lead to deep disappointment. When things go wrong at school or at home, teens often overreact. Many young people believe that life is not fair. They feel confused. Even worse, teenagers are bombarded with conflicting messages from parents, friends, and society.

Today's teenagers see a lot of unnecessary things - on TV, at school, in magazines and on the Internet. They are also forced to learn about the threat of AIDS, even if they are not sexually active.

Teens need adult guidance more than ever to understand all the physical and emotional changes they are experiencing. When teens have mood problems, it may indicate serious emotional or mental health problems that need to be addressed. Perhaps they have teenage depression. Parents or their guardians must take action.

What to do about teenage depression

When teens feel like their mood is going down, there are ways they can manage their feelings to avoid serious depression:

Try making new friends. Healthy relationships with peers are central to teenagers.

Participate in sporting events, engage in interesting activities, or find a hobby.

Join organizations that offer programs for youth. Special programs are aimed at the needs of adolescents and provide assistance in developing additional interests.

Reach out to trusted adults for help.

But sometimes, despite all efforts, teenagers suffer from depression. Many factors can trigger this disorder. Research shows that some depressed people have too much or too little of certain substances in their brains. Additionally, a family history of these emotional problems may increase the risk of developing depression. Other factors that can lead to the disorder are difficult life events (such as death or divorce), side effects from certain medications, and negative thought patterns.

Signs of Teenage Depression

Teenage depression is common. Recent research shows that one in five teenagers suffer from mood disorders. This is a very serious problem that requires immediate, appropriate treatment.

Depression can be difficult to diagnose in teenagers, but here are some symptoms:

These symptoms may indicate depression, especially when they persist for more than two weeks:

Poor performance at school

Leaving the circle of friends

Sadness and hopelessness

Lack of enthusiasm, energy and motivation

Anger and rage

Reaction to criticism

Low self-esteem or guilt

Indecision, lack of concentration

Anxiety and excitement

Changes in eating or sleeping

Substance abuse

Suicidal thoughts or actions

Teens may experiment with drugs or alcohol or become promiscuous to avoid feelings of depression. Adolescents may also express their feelings through hostile, aggressive, and risky behavior. But this behavior only leads to new problems.

Treatment of Teenage Depression

It is critical that depressed teens receive prompt, professional treatment.

Therapy can help teens understand why they are depressed and learn to cope with stressful situations. Depending on the situation, treatment may consist of individual consultations, group psychotherapy or family counseling. Medications that may be prescribed may be necessary to help teens feel better.

Some of the most common and effective treatments for depression in teenagers are:

Psychotherapy provides an opportunity to explore events and feelings that are painful and disturbing.

Cognitive behavioral therapy helps teens change negative patterns of thinking and behavior.

Interpersonal therapy focuses on how to develop healthy relationships at home and at school.

Medications relieve some symptoms of depression.

Depressed teenagers need to be supported and helped so that they take a big step towards recovery.

Facing the Risk of Teen Suicide

Sometimes teenagers feel so depressed that they feel there is no meaning to life. Every year, almost 5,000 young people, between the ages of 15 and 24, kill themselves. The suicide rate in this age group has nearly tripled since 1960.

Research shows that suicide attempts among young people may be based on long-term problems caused by a particular event. Suicidal teens may view a temporary situation as a permanent condition. Feelings of anger and resentment combined with exaggerated guilt can lead to impulsive, self-destructive behavior.

Warning Signs

Threats of suicide, direct and indirect

Obsession with death

Poems, essays and drawings that relate to death

Adolescent depression is a severe mental disorder that occurs between the ages of 11 and 16 and is characterized by a sharp decline in mood, emotional distress, suicidal and negative statements or intentions.

Today, psychologists around the world note with alarm the increase in the number of teenage suicides, crimes and addictions that arise against the background of mental disorders. According to some reports, every tenth teenager in developed countries experiences one or more episodes during puberty, which can then develop into a full-blown mental depressive disorder.

Every year, due to teenage depression, thousands of teenagers commit suicide, become drug addicts or gambling addicts, leave home or commit illegal acts, and most of them are children from prosperous families whose parents believe that they did everything for their child. What to do if a child suddenly shows signs of teenage depression and how to cope with this dangerous disease?

During puberty, the behavior of all children, without exception, changes; some endure hormonal “storms” more calmly, while others fall into real depression, and, very often, it seems to the parents and those around the teenager that there is no reason for such a disorder and there should not be Maybe.

Depression, as well as other changes in the behavior of a teenager, occurs due to and against the background of a sharp hormonal imbalance caused by the beginning of the work of the genital organs.

During this period, emotional sensitivity sharply intensifies, and the lability of the nervous system does not make it possible to calmly react to all kinds of stimuli that “fall” on the teenager’s psyche. Lack of life experience, inferiority complexes, self-doubt, cruelty and aggressiveness in the teenage environment cause neuroses that can cause depression.

While depression develops over several months or years in an adult, depressive neurosis can occur in adolescents in a matter of weeks or even days. In turn, parents do not even realize that their child has any problems.

Teenage depression occurs against the background of 2 main processes occurring in the body and mind of a teenager:

1. Hormonal changes - during puberty, a teenager’s nervous system withstands enormous stress. Due to hormonal instability, children cannot cope with emotions, attacks of irritation, melancholy or anxiety. At this time, the teenager is hurt by everything - a word spoken at the wrong time, an irritated look, excessive care, lack of attention and much, much more. Teenagers learn to cope with their emotional states within 2-4 years, and before that, hormonal imbalance can cause the development of severe depression.
2. The process of self-awareness, rethinking and understanding the environment - the child rarely thinks about what is happening in the world around him, he accepts everything - both negative and positive. But when children enter adolescence, they begin to rethink everything that surrounds them. At this age they are distinguished by egocentrism and categoricalness. The whole world is divided into black and white, good and bad, and revolves exclusively around a teenager. It is because of this that constant quarrels arise with parents and teachers. Teenagers suddenly discover that the world is not at all what they previously thought, adults also make mistakes, deceive, and their own future will not necessarily be fabulous. Sometimes the fragile psyche cannot tolerate such dissonance, and the teenager escapes from the unpleasant reality - into computer games, drug addiction or depression.

Anything can provoke the onset of depression in adolescents; the exact causes of the disease can be found out only after long conversations with the patient and monitoring his condition.

Most often, teenagers suffer due to:

Symptoms

It is quite difficult to distinguish the manifestations of another “whim” or ordinary pubertal rebellion from the symptoms of teenage depression.

It is important to remember that if a teenager’s behavior has changed dramatically or the teenager’s bad mood does not leave him for a minute within 1-2 weeks, it is imperative to seek qualified help. After all, teenage depression develops rapidly, and its consequences can be suicide attempts, drug addiction, vagrancy or antisocial behavior of adolescents.

Depression in a teenager can be suspected if:

All these symptoms in themselves cannot be criteria for diagnosing teenage depression, but if your child has 3 or more signs at the same time, this is a reason to think about it, pay more attention to the child, etc.

Treatment of the disorder

Treatment for depression begins with visiting a psychotherapist or. Only a qualified specialist will be able to assess the severity of the patient’s condition and prescribe appropriate therapy. It is important to strictly follow the recommendations.

Psychotherapeutic treatment

With a mild form of the disease and early treatment, psychotherapeutic and non-medical treatment is sufficient. In such cases, family therapy is prescribed, cognitive and rational psychotherapy is used, as well as auxiliary elements such as fairy tale therapy, situation modeling, constellation and other methods that help the teenager express his feelings and find solutions to problems on his own.

When treating depression in adolescents, joint work between parents and a psychotherapist is required.

Parents must provide their child with constant emotional support, learn how to behave correctly with a patient, express their emotions, show love and hear what their child is trying to say with his behavior. The most effective here would be simultaneous psychotherapeutic treatment by all family members. In addition, it is necessary to organize a proper daily routine, good nutrition, restful sleep, shared leisure time and other activities that will help fill a teenager’s life with positive emotions.

Drug therapy

Severe teenage depression. Such drugs are quite dangerous for a fragile body, so the choice of drug and dose should be made only by the attending physician. You should never try to treat depression with any medications on your own. For the treatment of adolescents, the latest generation of antidepressants are used, with a minimum number of side effects - and others.

Herbal sedatives and tranquilizers can also be used: tinctures of peony, motherwort and valerian.